Probably a pretty easy question.
Situation:
The US controls the Caroline Islands and has 1 transport and 2 subs in sz51. Japan has NO destroyers on the board, but has other naval vessels (including subs) and air units in range. Japan wants to both clear the seazone of my transport AND retake the Carolines.
Question 1:
Can Japan clear the sea zone with a fighter, and then send in a loaded transport to retake the Caroline Islands? This means that the transport would ignore the subs in the sea zone. It seems to me that the naval battle (including the subs would have to be fought before the amphibious assault can happen. Am I right?
Question 2:
If Japan sends in a sub (or any naval ships) to clear my transport, then of course my subs have the option to stay on the surface and fight a naval battle before the transport is cleared. Right?